Colombia is not only known for its biodiversity, coffee, and music, but also for the richness of its everyday language. Colombian Spanish is full of unique, creative words and expressions that carry a strong sense of identity, varying from one region to another and reflecting the country’s warmth, humor, and spontaneity. From a “parce” in Medellin to a “sumerce” in Boyaca, Colombian speech is as diverse as its geography. Across the different regions of the country, there are words and expressions used only in Colombia, forming an essential part of its cultural and linguistic identity.
Colombian Spanish: Words used only in Colombia and their meanings
Common everyday words
Bacano – Awesome, excellent, or someone very cool. (“Que bacano ese plan.” / “That plan is awesome.”)
Chevere – Cool, nice, pleasant. (“Esa pelicula esta chevere.” / “That movie is cool.”)
Guayabo – Hangover. (“Tengo un guayabo terrible.” / “I have a terrible hangover.”)
Jartera – Boredom or annoyance. (“Qué jartera tener que trabajar hoy.” / “What a drag having to work today.”)
Mecato – Snack or light food, like cookies or sweets. (“Voy a comprar un mecato para el viaje.” / “I’m buying a snack for the trip.”)
Melo – Everything’s fine or chill. (“Todo melo, gracias.” / “All good, thanks.”)
Parce / Parcero(a) – Friend or buddy, commonly used in Medellin and Antioquia. (“¿Que mas, parce?” / “What’s up, buddy?”)
Perico – Depending on the context, this word can mean a parrot, cocaine, or coffee with milk.
Tinto – Black coffee (in most countries “tinto” means red wine). (“¿Quiere un tintico?” / “Would you like a little coffee?”)
Expressions and regionalisms
Berraquera – Strength, determination, or something amazing. (“Qué berraquera de idea.” / “What a great idea.”)
Camello / Camellar – Job / to work. (“Estoy sin camello.” / “I don’t have a job.” / “Camello mucho.” / “I work a lot.”) Camello literally means “camel.”
Chimba – Something amazing or really good, though it can sound vulgar in some contexts. (“Esa canción es una chimba.” / “That song is awesome.”)
¡De una! – Sure, right away. (“¿Vamos al cine?” – “¡De una!” / “Let’s go to the movies?” – “Sure thing!”)
Guaro – Aguardiente, the national anise-flavored liquor. (“Tomemonos un guaro.” / “Let’s have a shot of guaro.”)
¿Que mas? – Informal greeting meaning “How are you?”
Paila – Something went wrong or someone’s unlucky. (“Se me perdió el celular, paila.” / “I lost my phone, tough luck.”) Paila originally means “saucepan.”
Peye – Something cheap or of poor quality. (“Ese pantalon esta peye.” / “Those pants look tacky.”)
Pola – Beer (named after heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, “La Pola”). (“Vamos por una pola.” / “Let’s grab a beer.”) La Pola was also the name of a beer launched in 1910.
Tetiado – Packed or crowded place; also used to describe driving fast. (“La discoteca está tetiada.” / “The club is packed.” / “Ese tipo va tetiado en la moto.” / “That guy’s speeding on his bike.”)
Regional or cultural terms
Cachaco – Person from the Andean interior, especially Bogota, often seen as formal.
Costeño – Person from the Caribbean coast, cheerful and spontaneous.
Cuyabro – Person from Quindio, in the Coffee Axis.
Llanero – Person from the Eastern Plains.
Paisa – Person from Antioquia and nearby regions, known for their accent and entrepreneurship.
Rolo(a) – Another word for someone from Bogota.
Sumerce – A respectful and affectionate term used in Boyaca and Cundinamarca instead of “usted” (you). (“¿Cómo está sumerce?” / “How are you, sir/ma’am?”)
Funny or unique slang
Atembado – Clumsy or scatterbrained person. (“Ese man está todo atembado.” / “That guy’s so absent-minded.”)
Chichigua – Small or insignificant amount. (“Me pagaron una chichigua.” / “They paid me peanuts.”)
Chimbo / Chimbiado – Fake or knockoff. (“Esos Adidas son chimbos.” / “Those Adidas are fake.”)
Embejucado(a) – Angry or upset. (“Se puso todo embejucado.” / “He got really mad.”)
Gonorrea – A very offensive insult, though among friends it can be used jokingly. (“Qué gonorrea de trancon.” / “What a nasty traffic jam.”) The original meaning is the name of a sexually transmitted disease.
Güevon / Güeva – Foolish person or buddy; also used as a casual filler among friends. (“No sea güevon.” / “Don’t be silly.” / “Oiga, güeva.” / “Hey, dude.”) Can be translated as “moron.”
Juemadre / Juepucha / Jueputa – Softer ways to express surprise or frustration. (“¡Juemadre, qué susto!” / “Damn, that scared me!”) The third one is the strongest of the three and should be used with care.
Mamar gallo – To joke around or waste time. (“Deje de mamar gallo y trabaje.” / “Stop fooling around and get to work.”)
Ñero / Ñera – Friend or buddy, used in a street or working-class tone. (“¿Qué más, ñero?” / “What’s up, bro?”)
Parcharse / Parche – To hang out / group of friends or a plan. (“Nos parchamos en el parque.” / “We hung out in the park.” / “Buen parche.” / “Cool group.”)
Tenaz – Difficult, intense, or amazing, depending on context. (“Ese partido estuvo tenaz.” / “That game was tough.”)
Vaina – Thing, matter, or situation. (“Esa vaina no sirve.” / “That thing doesn’t work.”) Vaina originally means the pod of beans or green peas.
Typical fillers and expressions
A lo bien – Expresses sincerity or amazement. (“A lo bien, eso fue increíble.” / “Honestly, that was amazing.”)
Como ya casi – Ambiguous phrase meaning “almost.” (“Ya casi llego.” / “I’m almost there.”)
No dar papaya – Don’t make yourself an easy target; don’t tempt fate. (“No dé papaya con el celular.” / “Don’t flash your phone around.”)
¿Si o que? – Used for confirmation or agreement. (“Nos vemos allá, ¿si o que?” / “See you there, right?”)
These words and expressions are a living example of the creativity of Colombian Spanish. Each one tells a story, carries affection, or reflects a unique way of seeing the world. In Colombia, speaking is not just about communicating — it’s about sharing an identity full of flavor, rhythm, and humor.